“Darrow’s Nightmare” and the Ethics and Trial Advocacy
Date: Mar 10, 2026 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: New Jersey Law Center, New Brunswick, and Online
Member Price: $143.00
Non-Member Price: $179.00
Section Price: $0.00
Areas of Law: Ethics, For All Attorneys
Earn up to 2.4 credits, including 1.8 in Ethics! (More Information)
Keynote
Moderator
Presenters
- Hon. James Hely, J.S.C. (Ret.)
- Hon. Nelson Johnson, J.S.C. (Ret.)
- Author and Historian
“Darrow’s Nightmare” is the fourth book and second legal history of New York Times best-selling author of “Boardwalk Empire,” Judge Nelson Johnson. This time his focus is upon the events in a courtroom in Los Angeles, where legendary lawyer Clarence Darrow was a criminal defendant himself.
Judge Johnson’s book is not a biography but rather recounts the worst two years (1911-13) in the lives of Darrow and his wife Ruby. Judge Johnson is the first author to make extensive use of the more than 8,000 page trial transcript from the 12-week jury trial. Darrow had gone to Chicago to represent two brothers - union members - charged with bombing the Los Angeles Times building and murdering 20 employees. L.A. politics was toxic and Darrow became ensnared in a situation beyond his control. In addition to reviving a long-forgotten chapter in Darrow’s career, the reader is introduced to courtroom impresario, Earl Rogers who defended Darrow. Judge Johnson believes that but for Rogers, Darrow might have become little more than a footnote in the history of the American labor movement.
“Darrow’s Nightmare” is a story like no other, rich with do’s and don’ts and multiple learning opportunities for judges and lawyers alike that still matter today.
*Darrow’s Nightmare: The Forgotten Story of America’s Most Famous Trial Lawyer, (Los Angeles 1911-1913), is available in print, e-book, and audio format. Judge Johnson will have books for sale and will be available to autograph copies after the program.
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